Detection of Cosmic Fullerenes in the Almahata Sitta Meteorite: Are They an Interstellar Heritage?

Buckminsterfullerene, C60 , is the largest molecule observed to date in interstellar and circumstellar environments. The mechanism of formation this actively debated. Despite targeted searches primitive carbonaceous chondrites, no unambiguous detection a meteorite has been reported date. Here we report first firm fullerenes, from C30 at least C100 Almahata Sitta (AhS) polymict ureilite meteorite. This was achieved using highly sensitive laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. Fullerenes have unambiguously detected seven clasts AhS ureilites. Molecular family analysis shows that fullerenes are different reservoir compared polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons same samples. fullerene correlates best with carbon clusters, some which may formed by destruction solid phases impacting laser. We show not way. suggest an intrinsic component specific phase yet be identified. nondetection Murchison Allende bulk samples, while experimental conditions, suggests absent or less abundant these chondrites. former case would support shock-wave processing parent body. However, there data scenario. leaves open possibility heritage messenger processes.